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PRWeek's PMQs Twitter round-up

In our round-up of Prime Minister's Questions, PRWeek brings you some of the best Twitter comments from public affairs specialists and journalists around the weekly event.

by Ian Griggs / November 18, 2015

This week’s PMQs were, predictably, dominated by the terrorist attacks in Paris as well as the appropriate level of response on Britain’s streets to the ongoing security threat. Themes of Syria, tax credits, UK devolution and policing also featured in the 35-minute session.

Defence & security will feature heavily in today's #PMQs. Cameron will look to remain statesmanlike, avoiding any #Corbyn point scoring.
— BM Public Affairs (@BMPubAffairs) November 18, 2015

David Cameron called for a united response from the House to the terrorist attacks in Paris and MPs were at pains to back him.

Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, began with a question some commentators regraded as week, calling on the Prime Minister to spell out advice to people thinking of travelling to France in the wake of the attacks. The answers, Cameron told him, were all on the FCO website.

Corbyn seemed to struggle with first question in asking for current travel advice. All on the FCO website #PMQs
— Jack Carnell (@jackcarnell) November 18, 2015

Corbyn followed up by asking the Prime Minister to endorse the notion that Britian's two million Muslims do not share any sympathy with ISIS but Cameron used the question to call on Muslim scholars to redouble their efforts to debunk claims by the terrorist group that Islam supports its actions.

Cameron points out that "ISIL not representative of Islam." #PMQs
— PHA Public Affairs (@PHAPolitical) November 18, 2015

Cameron line (repeated through the week) on critical distinction between Islam & ISIL is nuanced & strong. Enforces statesman creds. #PMQs
— BM Public Affairs (@BMPubAffairs) November 18, 2015

Corbyn used further questions, including one crowdsourced from 'John' to attacks the Government's plans to cut policing numbers in London by 5,000.

Ah, peoples #PMQs is back!
— Jack Carnell (@jackcarnell) November 18, 2015

However, Cameron used this question to make Corbyn look weak on the issue of security and made an oblique reference to the Labour leader's reported opposition to a 'lethal force' policy, when confronted by a terrorist attack. Not everyone was impressed by this.

Cameron goes into flashman bully mode personally attacking Corbyn saying he should agree to shoot first and ask questions later #PMQs
— John Locke (@JohnLockeZero) November 18, 2015

Questions then moved to the subject of Syria where the Prime Minister was read the results of a poll which said only 15 pwer cent of the public would support attacks on Syria without UN support but Cameron indicated that, although preferable' he would not wait for a UN Security Council resolution to launch air strikes in the country in the face of vetoes or threatened vetoes from other countries and that his first job was to protect UK citizens, not read polls.

The response drew cheers from Cameron's backbench and allowed him to set out a muscular response to attempted terrorist attacks in Britain.

Corbyn has repeatedly opposed air strikes in Syria and is seen as a major roadblock to achieving the consent of the House to go ahead with them.

But this left Corbyn looking weak and Cameron statesmanlike in a week where talking tough was the order of the day, a nuance not lost on commentators.

Cameron says it is not his job as Prime Minister to read opinion polls but to make the right decision. #PMQs
— PHA Public Affairs (@PHAPolitical) November 18, 2015

Public affairs commentators agreed that cameron rather than Corbyn had enjoyed a better PMQs this time around.

Clear win for DC today as JC is unable to land any blows. Left to backbench Labour MPs to hold gov. to account #PMQs
— Curtin&Co (@Curtinandco) November 18, 2015